Throughout this document, the term 'walk' or 'pedestrian' refers to people who are walking or using some form of special walking aid or motorized or non-motorized assistive technology device.
Certain principles or assumptions have emerged as common factors found in all types of successful pedestrian areas and they explain the conditions needed for people to choose to walk. All are of equal importance and relevance.
PRINCIPLE #1
People will choose to walk a 10-minute trip or a 1/4 mile to a destination and even longer (up to 20 minutes or a 1/2 mile) if the route is comfortable and safe or if the need is great.
The most common reason cited nationally as to why people do not choose to walk is real or perceived distance. Other factors which contribute to an individual’s decision to walk are how safe they feel when using the facility (this applies to feeling safe from the threat of being hit by a car and assault by another person), weather, and comfort. Research by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows that most people will walk 1/4 mile (0.4km), or approximately 1,400 feet (427m) with one mile (1.6km) as the maximum distance of a walking trip. Research also shows people of average ability walk at an average of 4 feet (1.2m) per second. When translated into minutes, the 1/4 mile trip takes five minutes and the 1/2 mile trip takes ten minutes. Younger, older, and persons with disabilities tend to walk more slowly (2.5 to 3 feet per second). This means that they may take slightly more time (approximately seven minutes) to walk 1/4 mile, and as much as 15 minutes to walk 1/2 mile.
A pedestrian area is more likely to be successful if walking routes from residences or other origins to destinations recognize distance and directness of the route as planning criteria. Regular spaced seating areas or resting spots will increase the distance traveled by all pedestrians. This is especially important in areas where a large portion of the population has limited access to motorized transportation. A successful pedestrian area combines a strong linkage between residences and places of basic necessity with convenient pedestrian access to a public transit system that connects with the rest of the community.
PRINCIPLE #2
People will choose to walk if the route is interesting.
Pedestrians will walk farther than 1/2 mile (0.8 km), or longer than ten minutes, if the route is interesting. The route can be made interesting by other pedestrians, or by providing elements such as public art, plantings, storefronts with windows and doors, long views and vistas, and interpretive signs.
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